Page 87 - TH200 Abundant Life A4 Final

Regeneration: New Life from God

Error: Education Causes Regeneration

In recent times, people have had an almost limitless belief in
themselves and their achievements. But in spite of the vast increase
of knowledge, people’s problems remain. Wars in the past century
continue and increase in extent, and the death of millions of innocent
people testifies to the inability of education to change corrupt human
nature, the source of people’s problems. Education can enlighten the
mind and expand one’s outlook on life by correcting false ideas and
practices, but it cannot apply a cure to the corrupt nature of people.
Knowledge that is not consecrated to God merely fills a person with
pride (1 Corinthians 8:1). It has no power to bring about the instant
change in the nature of the one who seeks to be born again. Only the
Holy Spirit can do this. If education brought regeneration, only a few
of the world’s people could experience the new birth, but education is
not the means of regeneration. God has made regeneration available to
all people.

Error: Church Membership Equal Regeneration

This appears to be reasonable, but church membership simply
identifies us with an institution. It does not deal with the basic problems
of spiritual deadness and corrupt natures. It is good to be enrolled in a
church, but it is necessary to be born again first in order to be a member
of the body of Christ.

Error: Ritual Brings Regeneration
Still other people feel that by participating in ceremonial cleansing,
rituals, observances, and prayers they will be regenerated and made
acceptable to God. Yet the ones who do these things may know nothing
of freedom from sin and a changed life. A person may perform all the
duties that his or her religion requires and yet be spiritually dead.

Need For Regeneration

Regeneration is necessary for two basic reasons: because of the
nature of man and the nature of God. Jesus pointed out that the deepest
and most universal need of all people is a complete change of their
whole nature and character. People have been damaged by sin as a
result of the Fall, and this damage is reflected in their behavior and
relationships. They sin because they are sinners, and their actions

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